10 Best Roy Rogers Westerns, Ranked

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During his acting career, the majority of Roy Rogers‘ movies were westerns. In each of these films, he often played the main character, tasked with resolving the central crime. His frequent co-star was Gabby Hayes, while the third lead role changed according to the specific film and director.

A significant portion of Rogers’s top-tier productions were overseen by Frank McDonald and Joseph Kane. These movies were frequently commended for their successful blend of comedy scenes, action sequences, and musical performances – a hallmark of McDonald or Kane’s work. While other directors also contributed to Rogers’s finest films, it’s noteworthy that out of his ten best productions, only a few weren’t directed by these two: McDonald or Kane mostly helmed Rogers’ most outstanding works.

1943 saw the debut of “The Man From Music Mountain“, where we find Rogers portraying a cowboy musician-turned-secret deputy. His mission is to investigate a string of events that appear aimed at triggering government intervention, enabling a local gang leader, Victor Marsh, to acquire lands at a bargain price. Although Rogers fails to directly incriminate Marsh in the crimes, he receives information about Marsh’s involvement from a rancher named Adobe Joe Wallace – a piece of knowledge that ultimately costs Wallace his life.

Using Wallace’s evidence and a random bullet casing discovered at the scene, Rogers can connect Marsh to the event, leading to his detainment. Many people found the original 1938 adaptation of “The Man From Music Mountain” more appealing than the revised one. The 1943 version of “The Man From Music Mountain” had a total of 18 minutes cut out, and while this made the storyline clearer in certain parts, it also significantly reduced the music.

1945 saw the release of the movie titled “The Man From Oklahoma“, directed by Frank Whittaker. The film stars Roy Rogers as a cowboy, who endeavors to resolve a long-standing conflict between the Lane and Whittaker clans. This age-old dispute, sparked anew in the storyline, is orchestrated by Jim Gardner, who seeks to gain control of the Oklahoma land itself. Rogers’ character teams up with the Sons of the Pioneers to thwart Gardner and bring a lasting peace between the two families.

Critics argued that the portrayal of “The Man From Oklahoma” seemed less like a traditional western and more like a modern drama, with the filmmakers consistently reminding viewers that the story took place in contemporary times. Some also found issue with the movie’s soundtrack, particularly after it was modified for television in the 1950s, as they felt the music failed to effectively drive the plot forward.

1939 saw me immersed in the gripping tale of “Saga of Death Valley,” directed by Joseph Kane. As a die-hard fan of cowboy stories, I found myself living through Roy Rogers’ journey. When the murder of his father left him seeking vengeance, he returned to the treacherous terrain of Death Valley, where he was reunited with his estranged younger brother, who had been raised by the very man responsible for their family’s tragedy and turned into an outlaw. With a thirst for justice and a desire to reclaim what was rightfully his, Roy aimed to purchase back the ranch that had been stolen from him during his youth.

Critics praised the portrayals of Rogers and his co-star Don Barry as long-lost brothers, finding that their characters’ contrasting personalities made the depiction more convincing. Additionally, many appreciated how the storyline and style of “Saga of Death Valley” deviated from the usual Roy Rogers film format. For viewers, Roy Rogers’ films were typically musical and lighthearted; in contrast, “Saga of Death Valley” offered a darker, grittier genre.

1938’s “Shine On Harvest Moon,” directed by Joseph Kane, shares its title with a Nora Bayes tune. In this film, I find myself in the rugged terrain of a ranch co-owned by Roy and William Farnum. After a particularly harsh winter, our ranch is grappling with financial strife.

The plot thickens when Farnum is implicated in a scandal involving his shady former partner, Ed Jackson, who seems to be skirting the law at every turn. As a man of integrity and a secret admirer of Lynne, Farnum’s daughter, I feel compelled to delve into this matter, not just for my reputation but also for her sake. This western melodrama promises an engaging tale of loyalty, love, and the struggle against adversity.

Viewers found that “Shine On Harvest Moon” exerted a profound impact on the romanticization of a particular era. Many spectators also deemed it one of Rogers’ finest early productions, yet when considering it as an entire movie, they didn’t view it as a highly significant film, but rather as a strong representative of the western genre.

1946 saw the release of the film Rainbow Over Texas, directed by Frank MacDonald, which featured Roy Rogers reprising his role as a renowned individual making a stop in his hometown during a tour with the Sons of the Pioneers. En route to Dalrymple, their journey was unexpectedly joined by Jackie Dalrymple, who had secretly stowed away in their carriage. Upon arrival in Dalrymple, Rogers found himself unable to apprehend a robber at the local casino and instead opted to participate in the town’s horse race.

Despite every competitor trying their best to undermine each other, Rogers managed to triumph on Trigger, his steed, in the race. The movie was well-received by viewers, who appreciated its traditional Roy Rogers qualities: musical sequences, a climactic gunfight, and an antagonist straight out of vaudeville, scheming for a big payday using underhanded tactics. Apart from Rogers’ standout performance in Rainbow Over Texas, Dale Evans was also applauded for her portrayal of Jackie Dalrymple.

In numerous Roy Rogers movies, his horse Trigger is often portrayed as Roy Rogers’ loyal equestrian partner. In the 1946 film “My Pal Trigger“, directed by Frank MacDonald, a story unfolds where Rogers stands falsely accused of killing Golden Sovereign, a steed owned by Gabby Hendrick. The accusation arises when Rogers’ mare, Lady, mates with Golden Sovereign, and in the ensuing events, Lady is killed by a mountain lion while Rogers is evading the law. This leaves behind her offspring, Trigger, whom Rogers then raises.

In the story, Rogers’ bond with his horse, Trigger, faces a trial when he participates in a race against Scoville, a neighboring rancher who desired Gabby’s land. The outcome of the race, with Rogers emerging victorious, not only clears his name but also strengthens his alliance with Trigger. Audiences found that My Pal Trigger was more gripping than an ordinary Roy Rogers film and enjoyed the shift in tone it offered. Many viewers believed that the highlight of My Pal Trigger was the equine performances, as they added layers and complexity to the characters within the movie.

1942 saw the release of the movie “Man From Cheyenne,” directed by Joseph Kane. In this film, we see Rogers portraying a recruit for the Wyoming Cattlemen’s Association. His mission? To investigate cattle theft from his childhood ranch, which was meant to supply the government. Initially, both Rogers and the association are tricked, but they eventually uncover Marian Hardy as the mastermind behind the theft. Justice is served when she is apprehended for her crimes.

The television series titled “Man From Cheyenne” showcased three principal female characters: Sally Payne playing as Sally Whittaker, Lynne Carver portraying Marian Hardy and Gale Storm embodying Judy Evans. It was noteworthy at the time because westerns typically had fewer women in leading roles. Furthermore, audiences appreciated that there was more action than musical sequences, especially during the gripping opening scene where nighttime cattle-rustling takes place.

1942 saw the release of “Ridin’ Down the Canyon,” a western film directed by Joseph Kane. In this movie, Rogers, a popular radio personality, is approached by a fan to help track down the cattle thieves who had stolen his family’s livestock. As Rogers delves deeper into the mystery, he begins to suspect that there are corrupt elements within the community orchestrating these thefts. His suspicions prove accurate when he uncovers a gang of rustlers operating from a local ranch.

Viewers generally appreciated Robert Henry’s portrayal of Bobby in “Ridin’ Down the Canyon,” but some felt that Henry received too much screen time compared to Rogers, who was the main star. On the positive side, many viewers admired the minimalistic approach of the film’s sets and absence of excessive slapstick comedy. Instead, they enjoyed Gabby Hayes’ role in the movie and found the comedic exchange between Hayes and Pat Brady, where both actors believed the other’s character was deaf, particularly amusing.

Sunset in El Dorado, originally narrated from Roy Rogers’ point of view, is instead presented through the eyes of Dale, a woman seeking refuge from an approaching wedding in the town of El Dorado once belonging to her late grandmother. In this quaint town, Dale crosses paths with Rogers and Gabby, who enlighten Dale about her grandmother’s legendary status as Kansas Kate.

That night, Dale has a dream where she becomes Kansas Kate, embarking on adventures with Rogers and Gabby as they discover a gold mine. Though many viewers were primarily attracted to Roy Rogers in the movie “Sunset in El Dorado“, they still appreciated that, despite the film’s departure from the typical structure of a Roy Rogers film, its execution was strong enough for the movie to receive positive reviews.

Titled “Don’t Fence Me In“, this 1945 film directed by John English finds Dale, a city photographer, investigating if the notorious outlaw ‘Wildcat Kelly’ has truly met his end, as rumored. During her investigation, she crosses paths with George Hayes and Roy Rogers. It transpires that ‘Wildcat Kelly’ was none other than Hayes, causing Dale to break the news against Roy’s objections, thus exposing a gang determined to eliminate Hayes. A contrived funeral and a gunfight ultimately expose the would-be assassin.

Audience members generally agreed that the musical choices in “Don’t Fence Me In” surpassed many of Rogers’ other films. Additionally, they enjoyed the humor incorporated into the movie and the chemistry between Rogers and Dale. Despite having fewer grand cinematic sets and action scenes, viewers still believed the humor made “Don’t Fence Me In” a superior film overall.

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2025-05-07 01:40